Katharine "Trina" Shannon Blake Johnson

She was born in Columbia, South Carolina on October 22, 1927, daughter of the late Daniel Blake and the late Katharine Brooks Shannon Blake.

During Trina’s early childhood, her family lived at “Combahee”, which was the name of her family home located along the Combahee River in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. In the 1930’s, they moved to Fletcher, NC where they lived until Trina was in her teens. It was then that the Blake family moved to Raleigh. Trina attended Broughton High School and graduated from Saint Mary’s College in 1947. On June 17, 1950, Trina married Harvey Wilson Johnson. They were married for 68 years, until Harvey’s death in 2018.

Trina and Harvey lived in Rockingham, NC for the first 10 years of their marriage. In 1960, they moved back to Raleigh and never left.

Trina was a member of the Junior League of Raleigh, the National Society of Colonial Dames, was Girls’ Chairman of the NC Debutante Ball (1964) and was Honorary Chairman of the NC Debutante Ball (1991). She was a member of Christ Church, The High Noon Book Club and The Carolina Country Club.

Trina loved playing golf, which was highlighted in 1974 when she had a Hole-In-One on Number 11 at the Carolina Country Club. She also loved to travel, especially going to her “Beachwalk” condo. But her true loves were Harvey, her “dahlin” girls, Trina, Anna and Jane, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who knew her as “Dammie.”

Trina is survived by her three daughters, Trina Blanton and husband Tom, Anna Smith and husband Steve, and Jane Brady and husband Dan; her grandchildren, Bess Smith Pitt (John), Kate Blanton Martin (Scott), Anna Miles Smith Garrett (Grayson), Stevie Smith (Allison), Frances Blanton Finch (Carlton), and Trina Brady Hooker (Cahill) and her 12 great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Culbreath Pitt, Harvey Hayes Pitt, Franklin McKinley Martin, George Thomas Martin, Harvey Michael Martin, Anna Smith Garrett, Richard Grayson Garrett III, Katharine Beatrice Garrett, Wilson Hugh Finch, William Blanton Finch, Leslie Jane Hooker, Charlotte Ray Hooker.

She was predeceased by her husband, Harvey and brother, Daniel Blake, Jr.

The “girls” give special thanks for the compassionate care and love of Brenda Lyons, Donnia Melvin, Dr. Todd Helton,Transitions LifeCare and Connections Memory Care staff.

A celebration of Trina’s life will be held Thursday, July 14th at 11:00 am at Christ Church. Burial immediately following the service at Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ Church, 120 East Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601, Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607, or the charity of your choice.

Service arrangements by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.